Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM): what you need and when
When it comes to getting married in Australia you probably expect there to be some paperwork right?
Aside from signing the legal documents on the day, there’s a particular form that you need to fill in before your wedding day - the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM). This form needs to be with your celebrant at least one month before your wedding day, and the clock starts from when the signed form reaches them, not when you book.
Miss it, and the wedding cannot legally happen on that date.
Here’s everything you need to know about the NOIM paperwork in the order you’ll need it.
What is a Notice of Intended Marriage?
The NOIM is the form that starts your marriage process. It tells the authorities who you both are and when you intend to marry.
Every couple marrying in Australia needs to give their completed and signed NOIM to a registered celebrant. There are no exceptions or alternative routes, whether you’re marrying at the beach, your backyard or your favourite venue.
You can fill it out yourself, or with your celebrant, but it needs to be ‘lodged’ with your celebrant.
The one-month rule (and the 18-month one)
At a minimum, your NOIM needs to be given to your celebrant one month before your wedding day.
For example if you’re getting married on 25th October, you’ll need to lodge the NOIM with your celebrant no later than 25th September. You can also lodge at a maximum of eighteen months.
The part that can catch people is when the clock starts. It’s not the day you book your celebrant or pay their booking fee; it’s the day your completed NOIM lands in your celebrants hands.
If your wedding happens to be sooner than a month away, don’t panic yet – there’s a process further down.
Can you actually get married? The eligibility bit
Before you start the paperwork, you must be eligible to marry. In Australia you must:
· Not already be married to someone else
· Not be directly related
· Be at least 18 years of age
· Freely agree to the marriage and understand what it means
Two things you don’t need – Australian citizenship or permanent residency. If you have visa questions you must speak with the relevant authority or an immigration lawyer.
And of course, your right to marry isn’t dependent on your sex or gender. Love is love!
What documents do you need?
Your celebrant has to sight these. Originals, not photocopies.
· Evidence of your date and place of birth - an original birth certificate or passport
· Photo identification - driver licence or passport
· Proof that a previous marriage has ended – divorce order or the death certificate of a former spouse
Filling in the form
The main page (3) is where you write all your details (name, address, date of birth etc). You’ll also need to include the full names of your parents including where they were born.
‘Single’ or ‘engaged’ isn’t an option. The NOIM asks you for your conjugal status:
| Your situation | What to tick |
|---|---|
| Never been married, or it was annulled | Never validly married |
| Married and divorced | Divorced |
| Divorce started but not finalised | Divorce pending |
| Former spouse has died | Widowed |
Who can witness your NOIM?
Your NOIM must be signed by you in front of an authorised witness. The list is on page 4 of the NOIM itself and includes people like an authorised celebrant, a justice of the peace, a barrister or solicitor, a medical practitioner, or a member of the Australian Federal Police or the police of a State or Territory.
It’s worth noting that if you’re overseas filling out the NOIM (to get married in Australia) then your NOIM must be witnessed by any of the following: an Australian Consular Officer, an Australian Diplomatic Officer, a notary public, an employee of the Commonwealth authorised under paragraph 3(c) of the Consular Fees Act 1955, or an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised under paragraph 3(d) of the Consular Fees Act 1955.
Since 2024 your NOIM can also be witnessed online. However if you’re overseas, your celebrant in Australia can’t be a witness.
What if your wedding is less than a month away?
There is a formal process called a shortening of time, but it’s not guaranteed. You’ll have to fit in to one of these grounds for an exemption.
· Employment-related or travel commitments
· Wedding or celebration arrangements
· Medical reasons
· Legal proceedings
· An error giving notice
In Victoria you can apply to Births, Deaths and Marriages, a magistrates courts or other prescribed authorities. For more information on that process, visit BDM Victoria.
It’s worth noting “we left it late” isn’t a valid reason. If you’re anywhere near the date of your wedding you should lodge your NOIM with your celebrant.
On the wedding day: what’s legally required
Legally, only three things need to happen on your wedding day for it to be a legal ceremony.
Your celebrant says ‘the Monitum’. These are legal words each civil celebrant must say, no exemptions.
“Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”
You each say the minimum legal vow:
“I call upon the persons here present to witness that I (person 1) take you, (person 2) to be my lawful wedded wife / husband / spouse”
You sign the documents on the day with two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age.
You cannot get married online in Australia. You, your two witnesses and your celebrant must all be present, in person, in the same space.
That’s the lot, everything else including your own vows, the ‘I dos’, readings, rituals and rings are optional and entirely yours to decide.
The difference between the commemorative and legal wedding certificate
On your wedding day you’ll sign three forms, two are for your celebrant and Births, Deaths and Marriages, and one is for you - the commemorative certificate.
The commemorative certificate is not your official marriage certificate. It’s a fancy certificate that you can frame and hang, but it’s not official proof of your marriage and can’t be used for official purposes like changing your name.
Here’s what actually happens
Your celebrant lodges your paperwork with Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days of the ceremony
They can request an official marriage certificate for you (its easier than doing it yourself). Check whether your celebrant includes that in their fees.
BDM registers your marriage and you’ll be sent your official certificate in the mail.
The three mistakes that could happen
Leaving the divorce order until last.
If you’ve been previously married you must show proof that the marriage ended. If the divorce is still pending when you’re filling out the NOIM, you’ll need to present the divorce order to your celebrant before your wedding day.
Assuming the certificate you signed is the official one.
Remember, the fancy certificate you receive on the day can’t be used to change your name. Talk to your celebrant about requesting an official marriage certificate from BDM.
Counting the one-month notice period from the wrong day.
The one-month notice counts from the day your celebrant receives the witnessed and completed NOIM.
This isn’t a stressful process, just a little bit of admin
A good celebrant will ensure all the legals are handled without you being stressed about the process, it’s part of the job and a straightforward, simple process.
Accuracy note: current as at August 2026 under the Marriage Act 1961, and I keep it updated. General information, not legal advice - for the official word see the Attorney-General's Department and BDM Victoria.